Neurosurgery
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Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that allows digital information to be superimposed onto a user's view of the real world, thereby enhancing the user's experience of a given real-world scenario. As recent advances in AR technology have made it more available for a variety of applications, hospitals and doctors have begun to test its utility in the operating room. AR technology allows surgeons to supplement their view of the operative field with useful patient-specific information for which they might otherwise need to turn their attention away from the task at hand. ⋯ The field of spine surgery is uniquely positioned to benefit from AR, given the extent to which many spine surgeons already rely on intraoperative navigation techniques for certain surgical tasks, including pedicle screw and interbody device placement. In this review, we outline the origins and history of AR in spine surgery and cover the current state of the literature regarding the applications, benefits, and drawbacks of its use within the field. Lastly, we speculate as to the future of AR in spine surgery and propose which gaps in knowledge must be addressed before the technology enjoys a degree of adoption on par with currently available intraoperative navigation techniques.
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Craniosynostosis can lead to progressive cranial and skull base deformities and can be associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP), ophthalmological manifestations, behavioral changes, and developmental delay. Most published data on the incidence of elevated ICP include older children undergoing open surgical correction. Endoscopic-assisted release of fused sutures with postoperative helmet therapy is an established method for managing craniosynostosis presenting at an early age; however, the immediate effect of this approach on ICP in a young cohort has not been previously reported. ⋯ Elevated ICP may occur in infants with craniosynostosis at higher rates than previously reported. Endoscopic-assisted craniectomy has an immediate effect on lowering ICP and improving postoperative ophthalmological findings.
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Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is effective for patients with medically refractory trigeminal neuralgia with a 75%-90% response rate. Consideration of the integral dose (ID) to the target nerve within the 50% isodose line was reported to help select prescription doses to maximize effectiveness and minimize bothersome numbness. The objective of this study was to externally validate the ID as a predictor of outcomes after SRS. ⋯ The ID did not predict recurrence-free survival or sensory dysfunction. Our observations suggest improved nerve coverage by the most powerful area of the isocenter, for instance, by targeting a narrower segment if feasible, could result in more durable pain relief. Further studies to validate these findings are needed.
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Case Reports
Superselective Angiography of Vasa Vasorum Within Partially Thrombosed Vertebral Aneurysm: A Case Report.
Partially thrombosed vertebral artery aneurysms (PTVAs) are rare, most of which are not easy to treat. Furthermore, endovascular treatment of PTVAs may not have favorable outcomes. The relationship between PTVAs and well-developed vasa vasorum (VV), including the mechanism of aneurysm growth, has been reported, but there are no reports of imaging findings by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). In this case, we successfully performed superselective angiography of well-developed VV and evaluated its imaging characteristics. We present the first DSA report of a well-developed VV of PTVA. ⋯ We successfully identified a VV within PTVA. Superselective VV angiography showed staining of the thrombosed component and venous return draining into the suboccipital cavernous sinus. In this case, the embolization of the VV proved to be an effective endovascular treatment of PTVA, but the safety of this method is a challenge. Further case studies are required to validate this method, and we hope it will evolve into a new treatment of PTVA.
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Anatomic features of neuromas have been explored in imaging studies. However, there has been limited research into these features using resected, ex vivo human neuroma specimens. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence that time may have on neuroma growth and size, and the clinical significance of these parameters. ⋯ This study suggests that neuromas seem to continue to grow over time and that smaller nerves may form relatively larger neuromas. In addition, sensory nerves develop relatively larger neuromas compared with mixed nerves. Neuroma size does not appear to correlate with pain severity. These findings may stimulate future research efforts and contribute to a better understanding of symptomatic neuroma development.